This brief summarizes the results of a gender impact evaluation study, entitled Causal effect of health on labor market outcomes : evidence from a random assignment iron supplementation intervention, conducted in 2002 in Indonesia. The study observed ... See More +This brief summarizes the results of a gender impact evaluation study, entitled Causal effect of health on labor market outcomes : evidence from a random assignment iron supplementation intervention, conducted in 2002 in Indonesia. The study observed evidence on the effect of iron deficiency on economic and social prosperity of older adults on the individual level. After six months of supplementation, there is evidence that iron-deficient older adults who received the treatment, are better off in terms of physical health, psycho-social health, and economic success. Relative to the control group, males who were iron deficient prior to the intervention and received the treatment are more likely to be working, earn more, and lose less work time to illness. These men are also more energetic, sleep less, they are more able to conduct physically arduous activities and their psycho-social health is better. Treated females who were iron deficient at baseline are more likely to be working, have higher hourly earnings if they earn income and tend to have better physical and psycho-social health. The intervention leads to 20 percent increase in wages for males but only 6 percent higher earnings for females. The results provide unambiguous evidence in support of the hypothesis that health has a causal effect on economic and social prosperity of adults during middle and older ages. Funding for the study derived from the National Institutes on Aging, Fogarty International Center, and Global Development Network.
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